The ongoing ordeal of Nimisha Priya, a Kerela resident currently facing a death sentence in Yemen, saw a serious development. Justice Kurian Joseph, a former Supreme Court judge, has agreed to provide a route of mediation attempt for Nimisha Priya’s release.
Who is Nimisha Priya and what was her crime?
Nimisha Priya is a nurse from Kerala who has been operating a clinic in Yemen since 2015. She has been lodged in Yemen jail since 2020 for committing the crime of murdering a Yemeni resident, Talal Abdo Mahadi. It is alleged that Nimisha Priya’s passport was seized by Talal Abdo Mahadi. Finally, in a desperate attempt to get back home to India and her family after having suffered abuse and terror at the hands of Talal Abdo Mahadi, she injected him with sedatives.
In 2020, Nimisha Priya filed an appeal against her punishment of the death penalty in the court of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Unfortunately for Nimisha, the court has upheld the death penalty, which means it will be carried out and she’ll be executed for her crime.
Nimisha’s appeal had said that she had no aim of taking Tala’s life and that she only wanted him to fall asleep. She injected him with sedatives in 2017, trying to buy time to look for her passport, which Tala Abdo Mahadi had in his possession. Unknown to her, Talal ended up overdosing after getting administered with sedatives and died as a result.
Now, her only hope to end this ordeal in her life and the impending death penalty is if Tala’s family accepts compensation and decides to pardon her for the crime of murdering their family member. As per Yemeni law, a convict’s crime of murder is pardoned by the family members of the victim; they can then release the prisoner.
Justice Kurian Joseph’s role is purely voluntary without any involvement of government. He will be leading mediating talks, helping Nimisha’s mother and husband in India to reach Yemen. There the family of Nimisha can negotiate with Talal’s family and tribe for compensation in exchange for her pardon. This compensation being blood money, the government will not be helping Nimisha’s family by monetary means. Though to help save Nimisha, Indians can contribute through the embassy in Yemen.
There’s also a crowdfund set up in India. If someone can help, here are the details:
EMAIL: [email protected]
BANK A/C Details:-
A/C NAME: SAVE NIMISHAPRIYA INTERNATIONAL ACTION COUNCIL
AC NO: 00000040847370877STATE BANK OF INDIA
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
Published By: Bhavya Dedhia
